CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Idaho volleyball team battled to four sets against conference foe Southern Utah, ultimately falling 25-18, 25-19, 25-17, 25-23 on Saturday inside the American First Event Center.

Redshirt senior Nikki Ball made her presence felt on the attack, supplying 11 kills on an efficient .429 hitting percentage. Allison Munday provided 13 more kills, while Alaina Lacey and Hailey Pelton added a combined 38 assists.

The Thunderbirds opened the match with a dominant 25-18 first set victory behind 15 kills and three service aces.

The Vandals battled back in the second set, earning a 25-19 win highlighted by a 5-0 run and solid defensive play to even the match at 1-1.

Idaho wasn't able to carry over the momentum into set three, with SUU taking advantage of three service errors and three ball handling errors that ultimately decided a 25-17 defeat.

The fourth set saw a tight match till the very end, with the Thunderbirds taking the final two points to take home the win, 25-23.

The Vandals totaled 45 kills on the afternoon behind a .203 hitting percentage, while Southern Utah made important plays on the defensive end with 5 solo blocks and 45 digs to earn the win.

Next up -- The Vandals (3-8, 0-2) return home next week to continue conference play when Portland State (Thursday, September 30 at 6 p.m.) and Sacramento State (Saturday, October 2 at 1 p.m.) come to town.